Firing mechanism for ordnance.



PATENTED SEPT. 5, 1905.

v w. H. BEVANS. FIRING MECHANISM FOR ORDNANOE.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9 1904.

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No. 798,761. I PATENTED SEPT. 5, 1905.

W. H. BBVANS. FIRING MECHANISM FOR OBDNANGE.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 9, 1904.

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WILLIAM H. BEVANS, OF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 5, 1905.

Application filed May 9, 1904. Serial No. 207,129.

To all whom it may concern:

' of construction herein fully described, particularly pointed out in the claims, and clearly illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the breech of a gun provided with my improved firing mechanism, full lines showing the positions of the exterior parts when the block is in position closing the breech and dotted lines the positions of the parts when the block is lowered; Fig. 2, an end elevation; Fig. 3, a.

vertical longitudinal sectional View through the breech of the gun and block, showing the firing mechanism cooked; and Fig. 1, a similar view showing the position of the parts after firing.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, 1 indicates the. gun-breech, and 2 the sliding block, which is'of the Hotchkiss type, movable vertically to open and close the breech.

3 is the rock-shaft for actuating the block, 4: the exterior hand-lever for rocking said shaft, and 5 the stop-bolt for limiting the movement of the block.

In carrying out my invention I form a cavity or recess in the block, upon the rear side thereof, of a contour to receive a case 6, consisting of a horizontally-disposed casing 7, in which a tubular firing-pin 8 is slidable, a casing 9 for an intermediately-pivoted lever 10, actuated by and actuating the firing-pin, a horizontally-disposed casing 11 beneath the lever for a sliding, cooking, and locking member 12, and a vertically-disposed casing 13 for a vertically-movable locking-bolt 14c, coacting with the member 12. The casing 7 for the firing-pin is open at its lower side and at its front end, and the block is formed with an opening in line with the open end of said casing to permit the head 15 of the firing-pin to pass therethrough to the cartridge in the chamber of the gun. Said firing-pin is of the ward movement by a pin 20, projectingthrough tubular form, having its head 15 removably attached thereto, and within the tubular portion of the pin is a coiled spring 16, bearing at one end against the rear wall of the casing 7 andat the opposite end engaging the forward end of the tubular firing-pin. The pin is provided with an exterior shoulder atits forward end, which by contact with the edge of the casing 7 limits the rearward movement of the pin. The block is provided near the forward end of the pin with escape-passages 17 for the escape of gases. on the under side of the firing-pin, having a cam-groove or depression in which the upper rounded end of the intermediately-pivoted lever 10 works, the lower end of said lever working against a cam-wall 19, formed in the upper side of the sliding member 12.

The sliding member 12 is limited in its reara slot 21, formed longitudinally therein, and said member is also formed in its under side near one end with an inclined notch 22, which is engaged by an inclined projection 23 on the upper end of the vertically-movable bolt 14 when the former is in its forward position. The rear wall of the case 6 is formed with an opening in line with casing 11, through which the sliding member 12 projects when in its rearward position into a recess formed in the gun-breech rearward of the block, containing a cocking-arm 24:, formed with a straight side adapted to engage the rear end of the member 12, which is rounded, as illustrated.

The locking-bolt 14 is pressed upwardly by a spring 25, and it projects below the block, where it is provided with a toe 26, which a projection or arm 27 upon a transversely-extending shaft 28, mounted upon the under side of the gun-breech rearward of the-block, is adapted to engage to effect the release of the parts to fire the gun. The shaft at its opposite end is provided with an arm 29, to which the lanyard is attached. In order to return the arm 27 to the proper position after it has been operated and to hold it steady, a spring-pressed plunger is provided in the under side of the gun-breech, bearing against a projection 31 on the opposite side of the shaft 28 to the projection 27.

A lug 18 is formed projection 27, and too 26 move bolt 14 downwardly and withdraw its projection from notch 22 of member 12, thus releasing the liring-pin, which is driven forward by its spring. This forward movement of the liringpin swings lever 10, which moves member 12 rearward. The parts are then in the positions shown in Fig. 4.

I will now describe the construction for cockingthe mechanism, referring particularly to Fig. 1. The cocking-arn'l 24, previously mentioned, is fixed on a shaft 32, mounted in the breech of the gun rearward of the block and extending transversely thereof, said shaft carrying upon one end thereof upon the exterior of the breech a forked arm 33, between the forks of which a cocking-toe 34, carried by the hand-lever4, normally projects. N ormally engaging the under side of the lever or arm is a spring-pressed plunger 35, positioned in the wall of the breech, the head of this plunger being rounded and the lower fork of the lever being cut out slightly on its inner side at its lower edge. The parts being in the positions illustrated in Fig. 4, to cock the mechanism the hand lever is swung rearwardly, swinging the forked lever to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1. Vhen the parts have thus been moved, the cockingarm 24 has assumed the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, the cooking and locking member 12 has been moved inwardly thereby until its notch has been engaged by the projection on the bolt 14, and the firing-pin through the medium of lever has been retracted. A further movement of the lever 4 carries its toe 34 away from the forked lever 33, and by continuing the movement of said lever the block is lowered. The plunger 35 springs between the forks of the lever 33, it having been forced inwardly by the downward movement of said lever, and the cockingarm 24 is thus locked in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3, while at the same time said lever is held in position to be engaged by the too 34 of the hand-lever when the block is moved urnvardly to close the breech.

Should the mechanism become uncooked during the lowering of the block, there would be no forward movementof the firing-pin until the member 12 has been carried by the block opposite the inclined wall 35, formed by cutting away the wall of the breech at the lower end of the block-opening, and hence the head of said pin would not drag on the head of the cartridge-case. Y

Assuming that the mechanism has become uncooked in lowering the block, when the latter is returned to its closed position the sliding member 12 by contact with the inclined wall 35 during the upward movement of the block will be forced inwardly until its notch is engaged by the projection of the lockingbolt 14, when the mechanism will again be cooked and cannot be uncooked by jarring during the further movement of the block, as the member 12 cannot move rearwardly on ac count of the position of the cocking-arm 24.

The case 6 is held in position in the block, from which it may be removed at any time, by a cap or locking-plate 36, adapted to be placed upon the end of easing 7 and swung thereon to bring lugs 37, carried thereby, beneath overhanging walls formed by undercutting the adjacent wall of the gun-breech. This cap or plate 36 carries a flatspring-piece 38, having a wojection or detent 39 at its free end to spring into an opening in case ('5 through a slot in the cap. The cap is thus locked from movement to disengage its lugs 37, and when it is desired to remove it the spring carrying the detent may be lifted with the finger-nail to withdraw the detent 39. The cap is also provided with openings 40 to receive a suit able tool for moving it to disengage the lugs 37 from the overhanging walls of the gunbreeeh and case, beneath which they are turned to hold the cap in place.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as original, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising a spring-pressed sliding firing-pin, an intermediately-pivoted lever having one end operatively engaging said pin, a sliding member operatively engaged by the opposite end of said lever, a sliding locking-bolt normally engaging said member for holding the firingpin retracted, means for tripping said bolt to release the firing-pin, and cocking means for moving said member into engagement with the locking-bolt.

2. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising a spring-pressed firing-pin, a sliding member, a connection between said firing-pin and member whereby the movement of one efi'ects a reverse movement of the other, a locking-bolt coacting with said sliding member to hold the firing-pin retracted, means for tripping said locking-bolt to release the li ringpin, and cooking means for retracting the pin and moving the said sliding member into position to be engaged by the locking-bolt.

3. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising a sliding spring-pressed firing-pin, a sliding member, a connection between said firing-pin and member whereby the movement of one eflects a movement of the other in a reverse direction, meansforholdingsaid firingpin retracted, means for releasing the firingpin, and cocking means for moving said sliding member to effect a retracting movement of the firing-pin.

4. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising a sliding spring-pressed firing-pin, a sliding member, a connection between said pin and member whereby the movement of one effects a movement of the other in a reverse direction, means coacting with said member for holding the firing-pin retracted, tripping direction, means for holding the pin retracted, all of said parts being carried by the block, cocking means independent of the block having a part arranged in contiguity to the sliding. member for moving the same to cause a retraction of the firingpin,and tripping means for actuating the holding means to release the pin.

6. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising in combination with asliding breechblock, a sliding spring-pressed firing-pin, a.

sliding member movable through the-wall of the block and projecting therefrom when the firing-pin is in its forward position, a connection between said firing-pin and member whereby the movement of the one effects a movement of the other in a reverse direction, a locking member automatically engaging said member for holding the pin retracted, all of the said parts being carried by the block, a cocking member independent of the block arranged in contiguity to the sliding member for moving the same to position to be engaged by said locking member, and tripping means for actuating the locking member to release the pin.

7. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising in combination with a sliding breechblock, a sliding spring-pressed firing-pin a sliding member movable through the wall of the block, a connection between said pin and member whereby a movement of the one effects a movement of the other in a reverse direction, a locking member automatically engaging said sliding member and holding the pin retracted all of said parts being carried by the block, and a cam-wall independent of the block disposed in position to be engaged by said sliding member during the closing movement of the block, whereby saidmember is moved to position to be engaged by the locking member and the retraction of the firingpin is effected.

8. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising a spring-pressed firing-pin, means for holding the pin retracted, tripping means for releasing the pin, cocking means comprising a cocking member for retracting the pin, a swinging operating member therefor comprising a forked arm, an operating-lever having a toe projecting between the forks of said arm, and a spring-detent adapted to spring between said forks and hold said arm from movement after the toe of the lever has disengaged said fork.

9. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising a spring-pressed firing-pin, tripping means for releasing the pin, cocking means comprising a cocking member for retracting the pin, an operating member therefor, a lever for actuating said operating member, and a spring-detent for engaging said operating member and holding the cooking member from displacement.

10. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising a spring-pressed firing-pin, means for holding the pin retracted, means for releasing the pin, cocking means'comprismg a rock' shaft mounted in the gun-breech, a cookingarm on said shaft for retracting the said pin,

a'forked arm upon said shaft, an operatinglever having a toe adapted to project between the forks of said arm and a spring-detent adapted to spring between the forks of said arm and hold the cocking-arm and forked arm from movement after the toe of said lever has disengaged the forks. 11. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising a spring-pressed firing-pin, a member operatively connected with the pin for retracting the same, a spring-pressed locking member for engaging and holding said member with the pin retracted, a shaft mounted upon the breech of the gun, an arm carried by said shaft engaging said locking member for moving the same to release the retracting member, and a spring-pressed member for preventing displacement of said arm and returning it to its normal position after it is operated.

12. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising a spring-pressed firing-pin, a cocking ,member operatively connected with the pin for retracting it, a sliding locking member engaging and holding said retracting member with the pin retracted having a toe upon the lower end thereof, a shaft mounted in the breech of, the gun, a toe projecting from said shaft to engage the toe of the locking member for disengaging the latter from the retracting member, a projection on said shaft disposed oppositely to the toe carried by the latter, a

spring-pressed member engaging said projection and a spring for returning the locking member after 1t has been operated.

13. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising in combination with the block having a recess formed therein, a removable case fitting in said recess, a spring-pressed firing-pin, a retracting member operatively connected with the pin, a locking member for said retracting member, all of said parts being carried by said case and means for securing said ease in said recess.

1 1. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising in combination with the block having a recess formed therein, a removable case fitting in said recess, a spring-pressed firing-pin,

a retracting member operatively connected with the pin, a locking member for said retracting member, all of said parts being carried by said case, and-a locking-cap for securing said case in position in the recess engaging the case and breech of the gun.

15. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising in combination with the block having a recess formed therein, a removable case fitting in said recess, a spring-pressed firing-pin, a retracting member operatively connected with the pin, a locking member for said rctracting member, all of said parts being carried by said case, and a locking-cap for securing said case in position in the recess engaging the case and breech of the gun.

16. A firing mechanism for ordnance comprising in combination with the block having a recess formed therein, a removable ease litting in said recess, a spring-pressed firing-pin, a retracting member operatively connected with the pin, a locking member for said retracting member, all of said parts being carried by said case, a locking-cap for securing the case in said recess designed to be attached to the case and breech by rotary movement, said cap having lugs to swing beneath projecting walls of the breech, and a spring-detent for holding the cap from rotary motion. In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM H. BEVANS. Witnesses:

L. E. BRADSTREET, \VM. A. WHEELER. 

